Contents:
Disturbing Trends
Overview of Key Findings
Identifying the Perpetrators
Violence Statistics
Targeting Christian Communities
Alarming Rise in Abductions
Conclusions
Disturbing Trends in Violence: A Comprehensive Study in Nigeria
A recent investigation by the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) has unveiled a shocking total of 55,910 deaths in Nigeria over four years from October 2019 to September 2023.
This extensive study sheds light on the escalating violence that continues to plague the nation, particularly affecting marginalized groups.
Overview of Key Findings
The ORFA report highlights that the most severe violence is concentrated in the North Central Zone and Southern Kaduna, regions that have experienced rampant mass killings, abductions, and torture of families, often with minimal intervention from security forces.
Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, a prominent peace advocate, points out that this violence forms part of a calculated strategy to destabilize communities and instill terror among vulnerable populations.
Identifying the Perpetrators
The study identifies the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) as a significant contributor to the violence in Nigeria.
The report notes that military resources are predominantly stationed in the North-East and North-West, leaving the areas most affected by FEM's actions inadequately protected.
Violence Statistics
Throughout the four-year study, Nigeria witnessed over 11,000 incidents of extreme violence, resulting in more than 55,000 fatalities and 21,000 abductions. In the North Central Zone alone, there were 3,007 reported incidents, including 2,010 killings and 700 abductions.
The report reveals that the Fulani Ethnic Militia is responsible for approximately 42% of civilian deaths, while extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP account for around 10%.
Notably, land-based community attacks represent the largest share of civilian casualties, making up 81% of the reported deaths.
Targeting Christian Communities
A concerning trend highlighted in the findings is the targeted nature of attacks on small Christian farming communities.
The data indicates that for every Muslim killed, about 2.7 Christians are murdered, with the overall death toll among Christians significantly exceeding that of Muslims.
In regions affected by violence, Christians face a disproportionate risk, being killed at a rate 6.5 times higher than their Muslim counterparts.
Alarming Rise in Abductions
The report also documents a troubling increase in abductions over the four years, escalating from 1,665 in 2020 to 6,255 in 2023.
Christians are reported to be 1.4 times more likely to be abducted than Muslims, with an estimated 5.1 Christians kidnapped for every Muslim in the affected areas.
This pattern underscores the targeted approach of the Fulani Ethnic Militia in their abduction strategies.
Conclusion
The findings from the ORFA study paint a dire picture of the violence and human rights violations occurring in Nigeria.
With a clear pattern of targeted attacks on specific communities and a significant rise in abductions, urgent action is essential to address these pressing issues and safeguard vulnerable populations across the nation.
0 Comments